Urban Decay Naked Palette Review

URBAN DECAY NAKED PALETTE

PRODUCT RATING: ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9/10)

NOTE: Original version with duo sided 24/7 Glide-On Eye Liner is reviewed.

BEST FOR: Neutral toned shimmer shadows. A step above basic mattes.

QUICK REVIEW :Overall, an incredible value and a wonderful palette with endless options.

the REVIEW (3/2/2011): As a new discovery, Urban Decay injects a little downtown into the otherwise uptown cosmetic demographic. That said, I personally miss the original Urban Decay that glamorized Gash, Smog, Asphyxia – wearable personifications of images that belonged, well, in the gutter. Long gone are the car touch up paint polishes and lipsticks shaped like a bullet (cool-but the caps often got stuck). I’ll get over it.

Urban Decay’s recent phenom, The Naked Palette, while quite tame in its colors and presentation, has possibly become UD’s most sought-after item since its inception – the original duo-liner version currently selling on eBay for about $100 and has consistently been sold out since July 2010 . The updated version of the palette (which is NOT a limited edition item BTW) now comes with a full sized brush, which is nice for beginners, but the duo sided black/brown liner was a big push in my decision to buy this palette. Still, for $48 you can get $222 worth of product (the shadows are full sized) – so its a great deal.

My only complaints about this palette is the absence of a good matte base shade like ABC Gum (or any matte bone shade), the amount of frosty vs. shimmery shades and the overwhelming cool undertones (I really don’t think a blue based gunmetal needs to be in a “Naked” palette). While it isn’t the palette I reach for everyday (its really hard to beat my personalized palette) I can easily create a variety of looks without having to take out any additional products. “Buck” is the neutral shade that pulls all the other colors together – it makes a solid crease color (I just wish it leaned a little heavier toward a camel), can be worn on the brows (Naked for blonds) and can be used to add a touch of warmth to the cooler shades.

For those who remember the late Kevyn Aucoin’s Ultima II Nakeds collection, are hard-core Bobbi Brown purist or really have no need for anything frosty (10/12 are frosty or frosty/glittery – not shimmery), then this palette isn’t for you. If you like a neutral toned palette with a bit of shine – and sometimes need a reminder to think outside the “natural” box…perfection. I may not remember to use this regularly, but when I do open its cocoa colored lid- its always with a smile.

LOOK BOOK : URBAN DECAY NAKED PALETTE V.1 NATURAL LOOK

1. Virgin (pale nude satin) on brow bone and lid.

2. Fill in brows with Buck (matte warm brown).

3. Buck (matte warm brown) in crease. Blend with Half Baked (bronze).

4. Line with Whiskey (brown liner) top and bottom. Smudge with Dark Horse (bronze-plum frost).

5. Thinly line top and bottom lash line with Zero (black liner). Smudge into lash line.

5. Line lower lash line with Zero( black liner) and smudge with Hustle (mocha frost).

6. Blend over crease area and under eye with Toasted (plum bronze).

7. Curl lashes and apply two coats mascara.

URBAN DECAY NAKED PALETTE DETAILS:

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:“This long, lean, and seductive case comes packed with 12 gorgeous neutrals that work for absolutely everyone. Shades range from delicate champagne to gritty gunmetal, and feature five stunning new shades. A variety of textures, including glitter, shimmer, and matte, ensure that you’ll never get bored. This versatile palette can go from office appropriate to a night on the town. The mirrored case also features a new professional-quality, cruelty-free Good Karma Eyeshadow Brush, plus a travel-size Eyeshadow Primer Potion in original formula.” –Sephora